Back in Black

( 43 )

Editorial Reviews

All Music Guide - Stephen Thomas Erlewine
The first sound on Back in Black is the deep, ominous drone of church bells -- or "Hell''s Bells," as it were, opening the album and AC/DC''s next era with a fanfare while ringing a fond farewell to Bon Scott, their late lead singer who partied himself straight to hell. But this implies that Back in Black is some kind of tribute to Scott, which may be true on a superficial level -- black is a funeral cover, hell''s bells certainly signify death -- but this isn''t filled with mournful songs about the departed. It''s a more fitting tribute, actually, since AC/DC not only carried on without him, but they delivered a record that to the casual ear sounds like the ...
See more details below
CD (Remastered / Special Edition)
$8.99
BN.com price
(Save 10%)$9.99 List Price
Pick Up In Store

Pick Up In Store

Reserve and pick up in 60 minutes at your local store

Other sellers (CD)
  • All (24) from $3.43   
  • New (16) from $5.19   
  • Used (8) from $3.43   

More About This Product

Editorial Reviews

All Music Guide - Stephen Thomas Erlewine
The first sound on Back in Black is the deep, ominous drone of church bells -- or "Hell''s Bells," as it were, opening the album and AC/DC''s next era with a fanfare while ringing a fond farewell to Bon Scott, their late lead singer who partied himself straight to hell. But this implies that Back in Black is some kind of tribute to Scott, which may be true on a superficial level -- black is a funeral cover, hell''s bells certainly signify death -- but this isn''t filled with mournful songs about the departed. It''s a more fitting tribute, actually, since AC/DC not only carried on without him, but they delivered a record that to the casual ear sounds like the seamless successor to Highway to Hell, right down to how Brian Johnson''s screech is a dead ringer for Scott''s growl. Most listeners could be forgiven for thinking that Johnson was Scott, but Johnson is different than Bon. He''s driven by the same obsessions -- sex and drink and rock & roll, basically -- but there isn''t nearly as much malevolence in his words or attitude as there was with Scott. Bon sounded like a criminal, Brian sounds like a rowdy scamp throughout Back in Black, which helps give it a real party atmosphere. Of course, Johnson shouldn''t be given all the credit for Back in Black, since Angus and Malcolm carry on with the song-oriented riffing that made Highway to Hell close to divine. Song for song, they deliver not just mammoth riffs but songs that are anthems, from the greasy "Shoot to Thrill" to the pummeling "Back in Black," which pales only next to "You Shook Me All Night Long," the greatest one-night-stand anthem in rock history. That tawdry celebration of sex is what made AC/DC different from all other metal bands -- there was no sword & sorcery, no darkness, just a rowdy party, and they never held a bigger, better party than they did on Back in Black.
Read More Show Less

Product Details

  • Release Date: 2/18/2003
  • Label: Sony
  • UPC: 696998020726
  • Catalog Number: 80207
  • Sales rank: 7,191

Album Credits

Performance Credits
AC/DC Primary Artist
Brian Johnson Vocals
Phil Rudd Drums
Cliff Williams Bass
Angus Young Guitar
Malcolm Young Guitar
Technical Credits
Ted Jensen Remastering
Robert John "Mutt" Lange Producer
Tony Platt Engineer
David Fricke Liner Notes
Bob Defrin Art Direction
Bob Ellis Original Photography
Read More Show Less

Customer Reviews

Average Rating 5
( 43 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(37)

4 Star

(5)

3 Star

(1)

2 Star

(0)

1 Star

(0)

Your Rating:

Review Guidelines
Add Recommendations
Your Name: Create a Pen Name or

Barnes & Noble.com Review Rules

Our reader reviews allow you to share your comments on titles you liked, or didn't, with others. By submitting an online review, you are representing to Barnes & Noble.com that all information contained in your review is original and accurate in all respects, and that the submission of such content by you and the posting of such content by Barnes & Noble.com does not and will not violate the rights of any third party. Please follow the rules below to help ensure that your review can be posted.

Reviews by Our Customers Under the Age of 13

We highly value and respect everyone's opinion concerning the titles we offer. However, we cannot allow persons under the age of 13 to have accounts at BN.com or to post customer reviews. Please see our Terms of Use for more details.

What to exclude from your review:

Please do not write about reviews, commentary, or information posted on the product page. If you see any errors in the information on the product page, please send us an email.

Reviews should not contain any of the following:

  • - HTML tags, profanity, obscenities, vulgarities, or comments that defame anyone
  • - Time-sensitive information such as tour dates, signings, lectures, etc.
  • - Single-word reviews. Other people will read your review to discover why you liked or didn't like the title. Be descriptive.
  • - Comments focusing on the author or that may ruin the ending for others
  • - Phone numbers, addresses, URLs
  • - Pricing and availability information or alternative ordering information
  • - Advertisements or commercial solicitation

Reminder:

  • - By submitting a review, you grant to Barnes & Noble.com and its sublicensees the royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable right and license to use the review in accordance with the Barnes & Noble.com Terms of Use.
  • - Barnes & Noble.com reserves the right not to post any review -- particularly those that do not follow the terms and conditions of these Rules. Barnes & Noble.com also reserves the right to remove any review at any time without notice.
  • - See Terms of Use for other conditions and disclaimers.
Search for Products You'd Like to Recommend

Recommend other products that relate to your review. Just search for them below and share!

Create a Pen Name

Your Pen Name is your unique identity on BN.com. It will appear on the reviews you write and other website activities. Your Pen Name cannot be edited, changed or deleted once submitted.

 
Your Pen Name can be any combination of alphanumeric characters (plus - and _), and must be at least two characters long.

Continue Anonymously
See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 43 Customer Reviews

  • Anonymous

    Posted July 5, 2011

    Rock masterpiece

    I was given this album for my 10th birthday. I had been exposed to elvis and the Beatles, but nothing like this. It changed my view of rock forever and led me to find many other bands, but it has always been my favorite album.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted October 1, 2010

    Rock and Roll at its best!

    Definitely one of the best soundtracts ever recorded. AC/DC at their prime. Brain Johnson rocking it! A must have for any heavy metal lover.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted October 1, 2010

    Best Album Ever Made

    It's the very best album ever made because Back in Black and Hells Bells. AC/DC is the very best band in the whole world.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted October 1, 2010

    this cd is great

    ACDC is good rock in roll

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted October 1, 2010

    more from this reviewer

    I Also Recommend:

    Slipknot [Reissue]
    Hybrid Theory
    Korn
    XX
    L.D. 50

    this band is just perfect

    this cd is just awesome just awesome i bought this cd and highway to hell and dirty deeds done dirt cheap and the two cd collection of ac/dc live this band is just perfect this band still blows me away even tho my favorite lead singer of ac/dc is no longer with us this band is just perfect just perfect

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Best hard rock album of the 80's -- bar none!

    There was every reason it shouldn't have worked at all: Bon Scott was irreplaceable, for starters. What he lacked in certain "singer" areas, he more than made up for in others: an ex-drummer-turned-singer with an impeccable sense of time and phrasing. He was a skinny, naturally-cut Aussi whom one sensed wasn't playing -- he walked it like he talked it, for real. Naturally, like the pantheon of great drummers (Keith Moon, John Bonham et al) he did indeed drink himself to death. How could anyone possibly replace him? Cut to early autumn 1980 and a band who dearly missed their irreplaceable mate and yet knew they were at their prime. What should have surely spelled disaster for any band on the planet became, instead, an absolute classic of rock 'n roll. It has been said before, but bears repeating: if you don't own this album, you don't deserve to be called a rock 'n roller! Song for song, the band (perhaps no hard rock band) would never again equal the seamless, hungry flawlessness that is their first album with an unknown singer (Brian Johnson) replacing an iconic seasoned living legend (Bon Scott). A similar feat would never, EVER be repeated. Buy this album!

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    A MUST HAVE FOR EVERY MUSIC FAN

    This is not just the biggest selling hard rock/metal album, this is the BIGGEST SELLING ALBUM BY ANY BAND IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD. Bigger than any Led Zep, Beatles album. You can not consider yourself a true music fan if you do not on this album.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Great Album!!!

    Most of this album is great exept for The fact that Johnson isnt as Good as Bon Scott, This would show in the latter years, But this is still the Bands Greatest Album.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    This is the best rocknroll album forever

    Back in black is the best album i've ever bought. great songs its the best rock band that well live forever. Rock on

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    The best of Heavy Metal!!!!!!!!

    This is the best album I have ever seen in my 13 years of life. AC/DC is one of my favorite bands,but this the best album ever.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    best album I've heard yet!!!

    It is awesome the way you sing and play! My favorite songs are: Back In Black, Hells Bells and Have A Drink On Me.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    likes ac/dc

    This cd rocks!!!!!!! This has some of the best ac/dc songs of all time.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Oh Hell Yeah

    One of the best CDs that I own. If you are into Rock and Heavy Metal check it out. I absolutely love it.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    What would a high school parking lot have been without this album?

    Even more than any Led Zeppelin album (including 'Led Zeppelin IV'), this was the album that rocked a thousand high school parking lots across the nation (then again, Zep IV had close to a decade of holding the top spot before 'Back in Black' came out in 1980). I read somewhere that 'Back in Black' is the biggest-selling hard rock/metal album of all time (again, beating out Zep IV, or any Metallica album for that matter) and for good reason -- it was so accessible, the songs were memorable, almost pop (in comparison to any other decent hard rock/metal except for maybe MTV-era Aerosmith) and it just plain rocked like a rock band should.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Awesome

    This is my favorite album. If you like any kind of hard rock, buy this album. You'll thank me later.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    AC/DC's best

    If you're crazy about rock n' roll, then this album is a must. AC/DC is one of the greatest bands ever. This album is simply the best.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Hard Rock doesnt get better than this.

    I own every AC/DC album to date, and this one is still the best. Brian Johnson was the best replacement for Bon Scott, and proves it on Hells Bells, and Back In Black. Every single song on here is a winner, You Shook Me All Night Long being the best, in my opinion. The title track, holding one of the most popular riffs in rock history, is the strongest point for Angus Young on this album. AC/DC explores new heights in pop-rock with You Shook Me All night Long, being one of the most pop hook-laden tracks in history. this is one of the greatest albums of all time, and you dont have to be a huge rock fan in order to love this. This is classic rock, and nothing could be better than this.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    don't care who you are, you have to like this!

    Listen to me, if you are any type of rock fan, or even any type of music fan at all, you've got to have this cd. I don't care if you hate AC/DC, this cd is incredible, and it is obviously their best selling album ever. Without Brian Johnson singing this, it wouldn't have been anywhere near the success it was. Don't get me wrong, Bon Scott was good, but Brian is about 4 times as good.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    AWESOME

    ONE OF THE GEATEST CDs EVER!!!!!!!!!! A MUST HAVE

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    bringing down the house

    this cd rocks. You can't go wrong with a album like this by one of rock's greatest bands ever to pick up a microphone and a guitar.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 43 Customer Reviews